Metal label strip apparatus



June 10, 1969 L, ITALIANO METAL LABEL STRIP APPARATUS Sheet of 7 FiledOct. 22, 1965' L on F IN V EN TOR.

LARRY ITAL/A/VO A T TORNE Y June 10, 1969' v L. ITALIANO 3, METAL LABELSTRIP APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22. 1965 Sheet 3 of '7 IN V EN TOR.

LARRY I TAL/ANO v ATTORNEY June 10, 19 9 L; ITALIANO .3',44s,909

METAL LABEL STRIP APPARATUS" v Filed Oct. 22, 1965 sheet 4 of 7" IN V ENTOR. LARRY ITALIANO A TTORNEV June 10, 1969 L. ITALIANO 3,448,909

'M TAL'LABEL STRIP APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22, 1965 Sheet 5 of 7 m I g 4 Z17 .i

4 Y gag ATTORNEY June10, 1969 ITALIANO. 3 3,448,909

METAL LABEL STRIP APPARATUS 1 Filed Oct. 22, 1 965 Sheet 6 of 7 I A M AI8) 55 l I JFJ- 5 IN VEN TOR.

LARRY ITAL IANO A 7' TORNE J June 10, 1969 lTAL lANO 3,448,909

. METAL LABEL STRIP APPARATUS Filed Oct. 22, 1965 Sheet 7 of v &' wf v620- Q V I /0 7 1. J E m INVENTOR. lIII) Il LARRY mum/v0 w BY pa 5% E:15 A ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,448,909 METAL LABEL STRIP APPARATUSLarry Italiano, 235 North St., New Hdye Park, N.Y. 11040 Filed Oct. 22,1965, Ser. No. 501,659 Int. Cl. B25c /02 US. Cl. 227-86 13 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A label feeding and applying machine isprovided, having many features including: a special cutter that enters aV-groove between labels to sever labels without raising a burr; a driverthat erects the legs of the labels approaching the driving position; asupport for the lead label of the strip that swings out of the insertionpath of the lead label; a reverse feed-adjusting resilient stop for thelabel strip; and a positive-acting strip feeder that operates after aninitial delay in the return stroke of a ram that operates thelabel-applying apparatus.

The present invention relates to a novel fom of metal label and tomethods and apparatus for applying the labels individually to articles.I

In one aspect the invention relates to a novel strip of metal labelsthat are inexpensive yet attractive. The term label is suggestive, forobviously the invention extends to other articles such as decorativeappliques. Such label (or equivalent) includes a body portion ofsuitably decorated sheet metal, with integral extending prongs to bedriven and set or clinched in the article. A feature of the inventionresides in a connected strip of such labels, with slant-sided dividinggrooves at the top surface. When a metal strip is cut in the usualmanner, a burr develops that projects from its surface, a condition thatis highly objectionable. When the novel label is being cut from thestrip, the usual problem of burrs is avoided.

A related object of the invention relates to the method of applying suchlabels to an article.

A still further object of the invention resides in novel label-applyingapparatus that cooperates to special advantage with the foregoing formof label supply.

Additional more detailed objects of the invention relate to provision ofa novel metal label-severing and applying anachine. A novel and highlyeffective means is provided for retaining control over the orientationof an individual metal label as it is being cut from a strip and as itis being driven. Novel means is included for accurately feeding a stripof labels to the cutting and applying position. The apparatus provides afirm and accurate feeding effort to operate effectively on the supply oflabels, the mass and stiffness of a roll of the metal strip of labelsrepresenting a special problem met by certain of the features of theapparatus below.

The nature of the invention and its further objects and novel featureswill be more fully apparent from the following detailed description ofthe illustrative embodiments of the invention in its various aspects.The illustrative embodiments are shown in the annexed drawings, wherein:I

FIGURE 1 shows a lateral elevation of a novel machine for applying metallabels, as an embodiment of certain features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a right-hand end elevation of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a lateral view of the apparatus in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown incross-section generally in the plane 3,-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are cross-sections of the apparatus in FIGS. 1-3 asviewed at the planes 4-4 and 55, respectively, in FIG. 3;

3,448,909 Patented June 10, 1969 FIGURE 6 is an enlarged perspectiveview of a strip of metal labels embodying features of the invention,showing the prongs of the lead label of the strip bent and in conditionto be parted from the strip, and showing the previous lead label of thestrip already parted and in the position it assumes when driven into anarticle (not shown);

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a label ofthe form in FIG. 6 when set into an article;

- FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal cross-section in the same plane as FIG. 3,with the parts shown at the completion of a label-driving operation;

- FIGURE 8A is an enlarged plan view of the label strip and the feedplate and the reverse-feed preventing stop in the relative positionsthereof shown in FIG. -8;

FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged fragmentary cross-sections asviewed in the plane 33 of FIG. 2, these figures showing, respectively, alabel strip as initially loaded into the machine; the completion of thefirst downward stroke; the near completion of the next-following returnstroke; and the next-following stroke in which the first label of thestrip has been driven; and

FIGURE 12A is a greatly enlarged cross-section of a label strip andcooperating parts of the foregoing apparatus for severing and driving alabel.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a machine comprising abase 10 carrying a housing 12 connected by a pivot 14 to the base.Secured to the end of housing 12 at the left as viewed in FIG. 1 is aface plate 16 which is grooved as a vertical channel, which forms aguide for driver 18 (FIG. 3) in cooperation with housing 12. Compressioncoil spring 20 contained in a bore in driver 18 bears on a fixed pin 22held stationary (see FIG. 1) by face-plate 16. A slot 18a in driver 18for pin 22 accommodates the vertical motion of the driver in its guide,and pin 22 limits the upward stroke of the driver. Spring 20 actsagainst plug 18b fixed to driver 18 by pin 18c, plug 18b closing the topof the spring-containing bore and providing a bearing surface for theupward bias of spring 20- i As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, inverted channel24 and plate 26 are both secured to housing 12 and form a guide passage28 for a strip of metal labels L. Overlying the strip L is a stop 30 forpreventing reverse feed of the labels. The active legs 30a of this stop30 (FIGS. 4 and 8) underlie parts of channel 24 along the cut-out 24aprovided for the strip feeder. The lengthwise setting of stop 30 isestablished by its adjustable mounting. Screw 32 threaded in housing 12and having a locknut 34 to fix it in any adjusted position carry a block36 in which a headed end portion of screw 32 is rotatably captive.Operation of screw 32 adjusts stop 30 horizontally, and the adjustmentis fixed by tightening locknut 34.

Housing 12 contains a feeding means 38 for strip L. This strip feedingmeans includes a hook element 40 carried in housing 12 by a pivot pin42. Screw 44 and its locknut 44a act-to limit the retraction stroke ofhook element 40. A tension coil spring 46 extends between an anchoringpart 48 secured to housing 12 and a screw 50 in hook element 40. Spring46 biases hook element 40 toward stop 44. A block 52 is slidably guidedin housing 12 and on channel 24, for travel along strip L. A rod 54bearing an antifriction sleeve is received in a yoke 01' slotted endportion of element 40 so that oscillation of element 40 causes block 52to reciprocate in a straight against a label strip. When the feeder goesthrough a retraction stroke (as more fully described below) plate 56 israised out of a groove in the label strip L, plate 56 in this motionrocking in an upper pivotal seat in block 52. The upper edge of plate 56is thus constrained against rocking motion about screw 58, and the plateitself is thus accurately located. Plate 56 fits loosely about screw 58so that lifting of the feed plate is not impeded by the screw.

The strip of metal labels, and the cooperation of the feeder and thereverse-feed preventing stop, are best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 8A and11. In FIG. 6, the strip of labels L includes body portions B, whose topsurfaces are separated by grooves G of V-shaped cross-sectiontransversely across strip L. There are two prongs P extending from theends of each body portion P, and small notches N extend across the endsof each groove G.

In FIG. 8A, feed plate 56 is in position at the start of aforward-feeding stroke, and the edge of the feed plate rests in a grooveG between bodies B of the label strip. At opposite sides or lateraledges of plate 56, stop 30 has a pair of laterally springy legs 30awhose ends 30b are bent down so as to enter notches N of the labelstrip. Feeding of the strip of labels takes place when feed plate 56 iswithdrawn (to the right in FIG. 8A). Stop parts 30b prevent movement ofthe label strip to the right as feed plate 56 wipes across the topsurface of the label, seeking the next groove G. During the drivingleftward stroke of plate 56-, the strip L moves to the left; and as thisoccurs the pair of bent end portions 30b of stop 30 lift out of a pairof notches N (see FIG. 11). Spring legs 30a are bowed up against lateralportions 24b of guide channel 24, so portions 30b snap down into thenext pair of notches N as the feeding stroke ends. These bent stopportions then guard against any tendency of the feed plate to drag thelabel strip in the reverse direction during the retraction of the feedplate 56 preparatory to the next feeding stroke.

In many views, particularly FIGS. 4 and 9, the lower end of driver 18 isshown as including a pair of late-rally separated portions 18d (see alsoFIG. 4) that flank the end portion of guide plate 26. During the downstrokes of driver 18, portions 18d bend prongs P of that label which isnext to the lead label of the strip, bending prongs P across the lateraledges 26a of strip guiding plate 26 and at right angles to the bodyportion B of the label. Cut-outs 26c provide clearance for portions 18d.

Many of the drawings (see especially FIG. 12A) show another end portion18f of driver 18 cooperating with the lead label of the strip. A portion18g projects from the flat end portion of the label-driving part 18) ofdriver 18. Portion 18g (see FIG. 12A) conforms to one sloping side of agroove G between two labels of the strip. Portion 18g is formed as ahard cutting edge, cooperating with the companion cutting edge 26b atthe top and end of plate 26. In the downward stroke of driver 18, thelead label is sheared from the rest of the strip. However, because ofthe slant lateral surface, there is virtually no tendency for a burr todevelop and no burr at all can develop at the upper surface of thelabel. A burr would develop along one edge of each label were there nogroove. A burr projecting from the top surface at an edge of the labelwould be objectionable, especially in uses where the label could brushagainst a persons skin or against a delicate fabric. The provision ofthe described cut edge, and the apparatus insuring exact location ofeach groove in position for making a cut that is largely free of exposedburrs, are important features of the label and the label-applying methodand apparatus.

The lead label of the strip is shown in FIG. 11 advancing on labelsupport 62 including a support portion 62a that underlies the lead labelof the strip. The support 62 has a shoulder or stop portion 62b acrossthe path of advance of strip L. A strong leaf-spring 62 supports member62 in its normal position illustrated in FIG. 11.

Label support 62 has two functions that are both important, for separateeffects. Support portion 62a holds the lead label flat against the endof driver portion 181'" as the driver moves down. This guards againsttilting of the label during the operation of cutting edges 18g and 2612.Secondly, member 62 promotes precision in the feed of the labels andregistry of the lead label opposite driver portion 18]. The feed plateis adjusted to feed the leading edge of the strip a slight distance toofar. This overfeed stresses spring 620. As soon as the feed plate iswithdrawn (and stop portions 30b have snapped into notches N, member 62pushes the label strip through a short, accurately limited reversemovement. Stop- 30 is adjusted for aggrement with this adjustment of thestrip position by member 62. This promotes consistent accuracy in thelocation of each leading label in proper position for cut-01f.

Downward movement of driver portion 18 forces label support 62 out ofthe advancing of the driven label, spring 620 yielding as the prongs ofthe label are driven into the article on the anvil 10a. After the prongsfirst touch the article, there is no further dependence on the labelsupport 62 to prevent tipping of the label and its prongs.

In FIG. 3 (for example) the driver 18 and the feeding means for thelabel-applying machine are shown being operated by the driving head 64of a standard punch press. This head is coupled by screw 66 whoserespective ends have left-hand threads and right-hand threads. The ram68 of the press is adjustably tied to press head 64 in positiveup-and-down strokes. Ram 68 carries a hook 70 that cooperates with ahook-like formation on yoke 42.

As the press lifts hook 70, housing 12 is lifted, spring 46 keepingelement 40 retracted. An adjustable stop including a screw in base 10and a locknut 81a limits the rise of housing 12. Further upward pull ofhook 70 against feed element 40, after stop 80 arrests the housing,causes firm forward drive of feed-plate 56.

Downward drive of driving head 64 and ram 68 releases feed element 40for retraction, limited by screw stop 44 and its locknut 4411. This isadjusted to insure slight excess in the retraction of plate 56 so thatthis plate is assured of coming to reset at the rear slope of groove Gas shown in FIG. 10. This enhances reliable operation of the feeder.

Continued downward drive of head 64 picks up driver 18 and, via spring20, housing 12 is driven down. The bearing end portions 16a.- (FIG. 2)press against the article on anvil 10a, arresting further movement ofhousing 12. Thereafter driver 18 performs in the manner alreadydescribed to bend a pair of prongs P, to sever the lead label from thestrip, and to drive the label into the article A. The anvil is formed tocause the prongs P to be set as shown in FIG. 7.

In its elevated position, housing 12 is high enough so that the prongs Pclear the article on the anvil during the forward feed of the labelstrip. Press adjusting screw 66 is set and locked to accord withthickness of the article, considering the downward limit of theoperating stroke of ram 68 and driver 18. Screw 80 is then adjusted todetermine the forward limit of the stroke of feed plate 56. This feederprovides sufiicient force to pull labels reliably from even a relativelystiff and massive reel of labels. Next, screw adjustment 44 sets thereturn stroke of the feed plate in position for optimum location of feedplate 56 in the position shown in FIG. 10.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the slant-sided grooves at thecut-off lines in the strip of labels promote burr-free labels whenapplied in the manner described above. Thus the method of applyingindividual labels of a strip is related both to the label strip and tothe apparatus described.

As previously noted, the spring fingers 30:: which underlie lateralparts 24b (FIG. 4) of the strip guiding passage have bent ends 30bdisposed to enter the notches N in the label strip (FIG. 8). As shown,the stop-finger ends are disposed to enter notches N at the ends of thesecond groove G of the strip, considered before cut-off occurs. Thepoint of engagement ideally is close to the driver parts 18d and 18 Inthis way, the space between the tips of th stop fingers 30a and thedirver 18 is small. If the stop tips 30b were located far from driver18, cumulative small errors from label to label along the strip coulddisturb the accuracy and consistency of the strip feeder. Stop fingers30a, through slender, are of ample strength. They can be made wider forgreater durability, if desired, since the fingers can be extended intothe lateral space over the prongs P of the label strip.

The illustrated adjustment of feed plate 56 is such that it moves backand forth between the second and third groove of the strip, consideredbefore cut-E occurs. In another condition of adjustments 66 and 80, thefeed plate moves between the first and second groove of a strip, thestrip being considered atthe time when the lead label is under driverpart 187. This adjustment of the feeder is in some respects to bepreferred over the condition of the adjustments represented in thedrawings, since it leads to effective feed of even the last label of astrip. It is an advantage to be able to retain feeding control over eventhe last label of a strip for various reasons. For example, it precludespossible damage of the machine due to a residual label becoming angledunder cutting and driving part 18 and it avoids jamming of a lead labelof a new strip partly overlying a trailing label of the previous stripof labels used in the machine. The forward stroke of feed plate 56 to apoint adjacent cutter 18g assures that the machine will,be self-clearingby using up the last label of a strip.

In many respects the described apparatus and method of applying labelscan bemodified, retaining many of the described benefits. For example,grooves G are ordinarily formed by a coining operation, particularly bydriving a V-shaped edge into the previously continuous top surface of astrip of metal, brass in an example. The strip is weakened where it isgrooved, due to the severe mechanical working of the metal. Withsufiicient weakening it becomes possible to part the lead label from therest of the strip without depending on the sharpness of the cuttingedges but depending essentially on the weakness of the strip at thegroove, and on the transverse force of the driving portion 18 Further,while the illustrated article A is thin and the prongs P are turned in,it is also within present contemplation to use the labels on thickmaterial, in which case the prongs P would penetrate the article withoutnecessarily being turned in. In such a case, an anvil as such might notbe utilized.

It is evident that the foregoing apparatus can be altered by omittingsome of the novel features and retaining the others, and that variedmodification and various applications of the described embodiment of theinvention will occur to those skilled in the art. Consequently, theinvention should be broadly construed in accordance with its full spiritand scope.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connected stripof such labels to an article, each label of the strip having a bodyportion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from the bodyportion, the exent of the body portion along the strip being at least ofthe same order of size as the length of the prongs,

- and each label having outline formations including marof the leadlabel, said strip-feeding means including spring retracting means, saidapparatus including a press ram operable in a driving stroke in onedirection through an initial idle portion of the stroke and operating inthe remainder of the stroke to operate said driver and said housing fordriving and setting a label, said ram being operable in a reverse strokethrough an initial idle motion and thereafter having driving engagementwith an element of said strip-feeding means to drive said strip-feedingmeans through a strip-feeding stroke.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said strip feeding meansincludes a feed plate having an edge formation adapted to enter atransverse groove of a strip of labels, said feed plate moving acrossthe top surface of the label strip during retraction thereof by saidspring means, said strip feeding means including an adjustable stop forlimiting the retraction of the feed plate to a point slightly past theforward-driving relationship of the feed plate with a groove of thelabel strip.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said element havingdriving engagement with said ram is movable bodily with said housing andis movable relative to the housing, and said apparatus including stopmeans limiting the movement of the housing during said reverse stroke ofthe press ram for thereafter enforcing movement of said element relativeto said housing for thereby eifecting operation of said strip feedingmeans, said stop means being adjustable for adjusting the feeding strokeof the strip feeding means.

4. Apparatus for applying to articles successively the lead label of aninterconnected strip of metal labels, in-

cluding a driver for parting the lead label from the strip and applyingit to an article, a reciprocating feed plate for advancing the strip onelabel at a time in alternation with the applying strokes of the driver,a reverse-feed preventing stop cooperable with the label strip forlimiting reverse movement of the strip, and a resilient stop interposedacross the lead end of the strip, said resilient stop being effectiveafter each feeding operation of the feed plate to shift the label stripinto arresting engagement with said reverse-feed preventing stop in ashort adjusting motion reverse to the label-feeding direction.

5. Label-applying apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein saidreverse-feed preventing stop is located for cooperation with the secondlabel of a strip whose lead label is in driving position and whereinsaid reciprocating feed plate is engageable with the rear edge of thesecond label and operable to advance the second label into drivingposition following driving of the lead label out of the drivingposition.

6. Apparatus for applying to articles successively the lead label of aninterconnected strip of metal labels, including a driver for applyingthe lead label-to an article in a stroke transverse to the strip oflabels, a stationary cutting edge underlying the strip adjacent to saiddriver and said driver having a cutting edge cooperating with saidstationary cutting edge for printing the successive lead labels from thestrip, a retractable support underlying the lead label opposite thedriver at the start of a label-applying stroke of the driver, saidsupport also having a shoulder across the lead edge of the strip, firmspring means biasing said support to said underlying position, feedmeans for advancing the strip against said shoulder and effective todisplace the shoulder and to stress the firm spring means, said shoulderbeing effective following each advancing stroke of the feeding means tolocate the lead label in driving position overlying the retractablesupport.

7. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connected stripof such labels to an article, each label of the strip having a bodyportion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from the bodyportion, the extent of the body portion along the strip being at leastof the same order of size as the length of the prongs, and each labelhaving outline formations including marginal groove in the top surfaceof the strip extending transverse thereof, said apparatu including anarticle-supporting anvil, a housing operable toward and away from saidanvil, said housing embodying a guiding passage for a strip of metallabels, said passage being movable with the housing toward and away fromthe anvil, strip-feeding means cooperable with the outline formations ofthe strip, a reciprocable driver movable relative to the housing fordriving and setting successively the lead labels of the strip andincluding a flat face portion cooperable in a labeldriving stroke withthe body portion of the lead label and further including an elementprojecting from said face portion so as to enter the groove of the stripof labels between the lead label and the remainder of the strip saidhousing having a label-supporting part disposed under the label of thestrip adjoining the lead label, said projecting element and said labelsupporting part having cooperating cutting edges for severing the leadlabel from a strip of labels, and a retractable label support having alabel-supporting surface aligned with the lower surface passage, saidretractable label support underlying the driver during the initialportion of a driving stroke of said driver and having an elongatedswingable carrying element extending generally along said driver forcarrying the retractable label support laterally out of the path of thelead label in response to pressure of the driver so as to support thelead label of the strip until the cutting edge of said projectingelement of the driver has parted the lead label from the strip.

8. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connected stripof such labels to an article, each label of the strip having a bodyportion of substantial area and plural prongs, extending from the bodyportion, the extent of the body portion along the strip being at leastof the same order of size as the length of the prongs, and each labelhaving outline formations, said apparatus including anarticle-supporting anvil, a housing operable toward and away from saidanvil, said housing embodying a guiding passage for a strip of metallabels, said passage being movable with the housing toward and away fromthe anvil, strip-feeding means cooperable with the outline formations ofthe strip, a reciprocable driver movable relative to the housing forparting, driving and setting successively the lead labels of the stripand including a flat face portion cooperable in a label-driving strokewith the body portion of the lead label, and a retractable label supporthaving a label-supporting surface aligned with the lower surface of theadvancing label strip as determined by said guiding passage and saidretractable label support underlying the driver during the initialportion of a driving stroke of said driver so as to support the leadlabel of the strip until the driver has parted the lead label from thestrip, said retractable label support having an elongated swingablecarrying element alongside the driver for carrying the retractable labelsupport out of the path of the lead label in response to pressure ofsaid driver.

9. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connected stripof such labels to an article, each label of the strip having a bodyportion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from the bodyportion, the extent of the body portion along the strip being at leastof the same order of size as the length of the prongs, and each labelhaving outline formations including marginal grooves in the top surfaceof the strip ex tending transverse thereof, said apparatus including anarticle-supporting anvil, a housing operable toward and away from saidanvil, said housing embodying a guiding passage for a strip of metallabels, said passage being movable with the housing toward and away fromthe anvil, strip-feeding means cooperable with the outline formations ofthe strip, and a reciprocable driver movable relative to the housing fordriving and setting successively the lead labels of the strip andincluding a flat face portion cooperable in a label-driving stroke withthe body portion of the lead label and further including an elementprojecting from said face portion so as to enter the groove of the stripof labels between the lead label and the remainder of the strip, saidprojecting element having a cutting edge, said housing including alabel-support under the label adjoining the lead label of the strip andsaid label-support having a cutting element cooperable with the cuttingedge of said projecting element of the driver.

10. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connectedstrip of such labels to an article, each label of the strip having abody portion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from the'bOdy portion, the extent of the body portion along the strip being atleast of the same order of size as the length of the prongs, and eachlabel having outline formations including marginal grooves in the topsurface of the strip extending transverse thereof, said apparatusincluding a housing embodying a guiding passage for a strip of metallabels, strip-feeding means cooperable with the outline formations ofthe strip, and a reciprocable driver movable relative to the housing fordriving and setting successively the lead labels of the strip andincluding a flat face portion cooperable in a label-driving stroke withthe top surface of the body portion of the lead label and furtherincluding an element projecting from said face portion so as to enterthe groove of the strip of labels between the lead label and theremainder of the strip, said projecting element having a cutting edge,said housing having a label-support disposed under the label of thestrip adjoining the lead label and having a cutting edge cooperable withthe cutting edge of said projecting element for severing the lead labelfrom the strip.

11. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connectedstrip of such labels to an article, each label of the strip having abody portion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from thebody portion, the extent of the body portion along the strip being atleast of the same order of size as the length of the prongs, and eachlabel having outline formations, said apparatus including a housingsupported for movement toward and away from an article to which one ofsaid labels is to be attached and said housing embodying a guidingpassage for a strip of metal labels, strip-feeding means cooperable withthe outline formations of the strip, a reciprocable driver movablerelative to the housing for parting, driving and setting successivelythe lead labels of the strip and including a flat face portioncooperable in a label-driving stroke with the body portion of the leadlabel, and a retractable label support having a label supporting surfacealigned with the lower surface of the advancing strip of labels and saidretractable label support underlying the driver during the initialportion of a driving stroke of said driver so as to support the leadlabel of the strip until the driver has parted the lead label from thestrip, and said retractable label support having an elongated swingablecarrying element alongside the driver for carrying the retractable labelsupport out of the path of the lead label in response to pressure ofsaid driver.

12. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connectedstrip of such labels to an article, each label of the strip having abody portion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from thebody portion along the strip being at least of the same order of size asthe length of the prongs, and each label having outline formation, saidapparatus including a housing embodying a guiding passage for a strip ofmetal labels, strip-feeding means cooperable with the outline formationsof the strip, a reciprocable driver movable relative to the housing fordriving and setting successivly the lead labels of the strip andincluding a flat face portion cooperable in a labeldriving stroke withthe body portion of the lead label, and a retractable label supportunderlying the driver so as to support the lead label of the strip untilthe driver has parted the lead label from the strip, said label supportincluding a support member adapted to underlie the lead label of thestrip and a leaf-spring extending along but spaced from the driver andhaving a portion secured to said housing remote from said support memberso as to be movable with the housing and said leaf spring forming aright-angled intersection with the plane of the lead-label body portionand adapted to swing away and clear the path of the lead label duringthe label-setting advance of said driver.

13. Apparatus for applying an individual metal label of a connectedstrip of such labels to an article, each label of the strip having abody portion of substantial area and plural prongs extending from thebody portion along the strip, the extent of the body portion along thestrip being at least of the same order of size as the length of theprongs, and each label having outline formations, said apparatusincluding a housing embodying a guiding passage for a strip of metallabels, intermittent strip-feeding means including a detent cooperablewith a locating formation of the strip, a reciprocable driver movablerelative to the housing for driving and setting successively the leadlabels of the strip and including a fiat face portion cooperable in alabel-driving stroke with the body portion of the lead label, and aretractable label support underlying the driver during the initialportion of a driving stroke of said driver so as to support the leadlabel of the strip until the driver has parted the lead label from thestrip, said label support including a support member adapted to underliethe lead label of the strip and a swingable elongated carrier for saidsupport member extending generally parallel to said driver in adirection crossing the plane of the lead-label body portion and adaptedto swing away and clear the path of the lead label during thelabelsetting advance of said driver, said support member including ashoulder portion having bias means acting opposite to the label feedingdirection for constituting a resilient stop in the advancing path of thelabel strip, for adjusting the lead label against said detent.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,746,496 2/ 1930 Palmgren 227862,222,220 11/1940 Binch 72330 2,431,812 12/1947 Lang 227136 X 2,580,4441/1952 Lang 22786 2,748,452 6/ 1956 Pierce.

2,987,725 6/1961 Heilman 227108 X 3,029,436 4/ 1962 Kufel et al. 227863,155,242 11/1964 Magloire 83419 X 3,194,098 7/1965 Kimball et al.83-157 X 3,244,047 4/1966 Daniluk 83-468 X 2,923,937 2/1960 Laucher 227X JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner.

C. E. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

U.S Cl. X.R.

